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NFL Picks

Point/Counterpoint: If You Must Bet Giants-49ers MNF Abomination ...

SBR's Doug Upstone took the season series lead over Swinging Johnson last week when he touted the Titans as his MNF pick while Swinger backed the Cowboys. This Monday, SJ is on Big Blue, while Doug is hopping on the Nick Mullens bandwagon and telling his disciples to lay it on the host 49ers.

The Giants are coming off of a bye and, boy oh boy, did they need it after dropping five straight. Eli Manning might still be black and blue after having been sacked seven times in the Giants’ loss to the NFC East leading Redskins in Week 8. Speaking of Manning, he has been the bone of contention between those loyal to the two-time Super Bowl winner and those who believe New York needs to move on from this fast fading star.

Jimmy, who? After the 49ers trotted undrafted Nick Mullens out in place of the injured CJ Beathard – who had been starting for the ailing Jimmy Garoppolo – the world is suddenly now gaga over Nicky the Kid. Mullens shredded the Raiders’ secondary to the tune of 262 yards and three touchdowns. It was the most productive debut for any quarterback since the merger and now the Niners are fan favorites.

The NFL odds board is dealing the 49ers as three-point home chalk and the question is who are you putting in your NFL picks on Monday night? Let’s see what our cappers have to say.

SJ: Well I guess congratulations are in order. You picked the Titans last week over the Cowboys as 6-point road chalk and they not only covered the number but won the game outright, making it a happy day in Doug Land. Now you’re up 5-4 in our MNF series and your world is all lollipops and sunshine. Well, enjoy it because come Tuesday morning victory shall be mine, the series will be even, and I’ll be as happy as a tornado in a trailer park.

Moving on to this week’s Monday Night Snoozer, we have the well-rested Giants against the greatest quarterback who ever graced the grid iron, Nick Mullens, and the San Francisco 49ers. Aren’t we all getting just a tad carried away here? This is a kid, undrafted out of Southern Miss, who has an arm like a Nerf gun but can hit a moving bullseye within 2 or 3 yards. The problem is what to do on those deep strikes of 10-12 feet? Your thoughts, my grace?

DU: First, thank you, I thought admitting you were wrong was like a foreign language to you. But in this business, one correct pick does not make you a wise guy. Even if you consider Mullens was going up against the Raiders, you have to admit he was poised, prepared and ready for his opportunity, something you are not familiar with. Yes, I do like the 49ers, but I equally think the New York football Giants stink. Since this game should offer a rebate from ESPN and the NFL, it's kind of like getting a 2 for 1 with my selection, on the Niners and against the G-Men. This should be rich, why are you taking the points?

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Kyle Shanahan has informed Nick Mullens that he will start #MNF vs. the Giants.

SJ: Well, I understand no one in their “right mind” would be eager to back the Niners but it’s you Doug and... well, we won't talk about the trough of Thorazine that follows wherever you go...however, a fade against the Giants is certainly understandable.

Okay so here’s the deal. The Giants have some defensive talent in the trenches but pass coverage has been a bit of a mess and that was before they traded Eli Apple to the Saints. The key to victory is shaking up Nicky the Kid and the only way to do that is if the Giants pass rushers can penetrate the Niners O-line because if they can’t, then Mullens will have open targets all day long even if it takes him three completions to move the sticks. One thing is for sure, Mullens won’t have it as easy as he did last week because any defense other than the Raiders will pose much more of a challenge.

DU: I see understand your logic, one problem, it's wrong. The Giants had a really good pass rush, two, three, 10 years ago. But at this moment, the Giants have 10 sacks, only Oakland is worse with seven and we saw how the San Fran offensive line handled that. Mullens might not be as accurate as last week, but he will have time to throw the ball to open receivers.

Next, let's talk the Niners running the ball, they are fourth in the NFL and your "vaunted" Big Blue D-Line gives up 4.5 yards a carry. So, as it likely to turn out, Mullens won't need three passes to get a first down, he can just turnaround and hand the ball off to get an even better effect. Did I mention San Fran averages 4.8 yards a carry? Nope, but now I did - NFL savant!

SJ: Look you can talk about the Giants' lack of defense but I believe the linebackers, or lack thereof, are making it harder for the big boys up front to do their jobs. But let's face it, Eli is the big problem. And he’s such a problem that the Giants are 1-7 and as a result are getting 3 at Frisco.

However, that being said, Saquon Barkley will be the lead dog in the sleigh because the Giants need to get this kid more carries. Right now, he’s averaging 13 per game and yet the Giants are 9th in passing yards. They drafted a superstar but are still trying to win off of Eli’s fading arm. If I know this then the coach Pat Shurmur knows this, and I assume he’s intent on keeping his job. And once they’re committed to running the ball and passing less, one would assume Manning would have more time when he does throw and he’s got weapons in OBJ, Sterling Shepard as well as Barkley out of the backfield.

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Coach Shurmur made it clear on Tuesday - Eli Manning will be under center on Monday night against the 49ers.

DU: In the real-world sense, Manning is getting older day by day, just like the rest of us. However, we aren’t on TV every week for three hours and I swear you can see his skills decline quarter by quarter. Here's your conundrum and advantage, the Giants O- Line might be the worst in the NFL and certainly among the five worst in the league. The choice in running or passing seems to be like would I rather get hit by a car or have the tree in my yard fall on me?

Either scenario is no fun. Another reason Eli has chucked the pigskin so much is the Giants are always trailing. Unless the Giants decide to start running the triple option this week like the Army or Navy, Manning's in the pocket and here comes the San Fran pass rush! OK, we disagree on the nuts and bolts, supply me and your one other fan why the G-Men cover?

SJ: Well, you have a point Doug -- unfortunately your hair is covering it. The long and short for me is that the public is eating this kid up like ice cream while Eli is like the captain of the track team, only he’s on crutches. I get it but I also make it a point never to lay the lumber on a lousy team. The Niners qualify and this has all the feel of a 16-10 Giants win and next week people will be saying, Nick who? I'll give you the last word, helmet head.

DU: You must get all the Bay Area papers because I got through 50 websites a day and the rest of the world is as concerned about Mullens as they you and your picks. Here is something for you Swinger while you go back and forth on your teeter-totter. The Giants are 1-9 ATS in games when the line is +3 to -3 the last two seasons. And while you showed you distain last week for historical trends the 49ers are 32-10 ATS on MNF since 1992, and that covers every gamut of Super Bowl to garbage teams. San Fran 20-10. Don't choke on that Anchor Steam beer I just sent you. The rest of the world is not concerned.